“Is calling for the people to reject a certain political party part of Bersih’s so-called elections reform agenda?”

Rizal said Bersih had failed to live up to its name when it asked DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who has been charged with two counts of corruption, to launch Bersih 5 in Penang.

He said this came after many had called for Lim to step down, including former Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Selangor DAP chairman Tony Pua.

“As Bersih is clearly political and partisan, it is wise for all religious leaders – including a certain Bishop in the news – to refrain from joining or openly asking others to join Bersih’s activities,” he said without naming the bishop.

It was reported that the clergyman went on Facebook to encourage others to join the rally.

On June 30 this year, Lim claimed trial to a charge of using his position as a public servant to obtain gratification for himself and his wife by approving an application by a company to convert agricultural land for residential development during a state planning committee meeting on July 18, 2014.

Lim also denied another charge of using his position to obtain gratification by purchasing his house from businesswoman Phang Li Koon at below market value in 2015.